Ba will be tough: Poida

Poida’s Tafea side upset pre-tournament favourites Hekari United 3-1 in their opening clash on Monday after leading 2-1 at half time. Dalong Damalip gave Tafea an early 9th minute lead and celebration was doubled when Hekari scored an own goal. Tutizama Tanito pulled one back for the Hekari side just before the break when the Papua New Guinea champions were awarded a penalty but their fight ended on the 81st minute as Don Mansale sealed the game for Tafea. “They played very well, they listened to what I told them and I’m very positive about the end result.The end result we won the game and that’s what we wanted. We won three points in the first game and are now focusing on the next match,” Poida said. He says the two-day break was a vital one for his side to prepare for their next game against Ba who he believes will be tougher than Hekari. “Ba is playing at their home ground and will be tougher than Hekari. I really do not know how Ba plays but we will see how it goes after the two days of rest and we will be ready,” he said. Ba and Tafea clash in the opening match on Thursday, 1pm at Govind Park. Winless Hekari and AS Magenta clash in the second match 4pm. By Fiji Football Media.

About VFF

Vanuatu has one of the most advanced technical programmes in Oceania, particularly at youth level. The Melanesian nation of around 220,000 inhabitants was chosen as one of six countries globally for a FIFA pilot project whereby players are identified at a young age and selected to train and stay full-time at the national academy. As part of that two-year programme for players aged 15-17, consideration is given to continuing school or vocational education.